Gina Heslop
Three friends embarked on a remarkable journey of discovery and moral choice. The tale unfolded after the friends bought a couch from a Salvation Army store in February. Little did they know that their seemingly mundane purchase would lead to an astonishing twist of fate.
After a casual movie night on their new couch, the students noticed something unusual – crinkles in two integrated side pillows of the furniture. Curiosity piqued, they investigated further and found bubble wrap envelopes hidden inside. To their astonishment, they discovered stacks of $100 bills, amounting to a grand total of $41,000.
Initially, the friends were swept up in excitement, dreaming of what they could do with this unexpected fortune. Buying a car for a friend’s mom and a boat became exciting possibilities. However, their jubilation was short-lived when they discovered an envelope with a woman’s name on it. The moral dilemma weighed heavily on their consciences.
Realizing that they hadn’t earned this money, they resolved to find the rightful owner. With the help of their parents, they began a quest to locate her. Keeping the stash a secret from others was their way of safeguarding it from potential theft.
It was Werkhoven’s mother who finally tracked down the woman through a phone book. When he called her and explained their discovery, she was taken aback but relieved. The elderly woman, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that her late husband had entrusted her with the money so she would be financially secure after his passing. She had hidden it under the old couch because she had no other secure place to keep it, a practice she had maintained for three decades. After undergoing back surgery and a stay in a rehabilitation facility, her doctors had advised her children to buy her a new couch, which eventually found its way to the Salvation Army store.
The students, with the woman’s blessing, returned the money to its rightful owner, a gesture of honesty and integrity that they felt proud of. They even planned to go out to dinner with her and her family as a way of strengthening the bond they had formed through this unexpected encounter.
Although the friends didn’t leave empty-handed, receiving a $1,000 gift from the woman, their decision to do the right thing was rooted in a deeper sense of morality. They believed that anyone, when they set their minds to it, could choose to do good in the world. This heartwarming story serves as a testament to the power of integrity, kindness, and the importance of doing what’s right, even when faced with tempting alternatives. It’s a reminder that good deeds can have a ripple effect, inspiring others to follow the path of honesty and compassion.
